Individual hemiendoprosthetics of the posterior articular facet of the calcaneus in the complex treatment of damage to the subtalar joint: a case report

BACKGROUND: The subtalar joint is one of the key joints in the foot. Its main function is to adapt the hindfoot to uneven ground during the gait cycle. Degenerative changes in the subtalar joint are primarily the result of intra-articular calcaneal fractures, varus or valgus deformities of the hindfoot, rheumatoid arthritis and idiopathic deforming osteoarthritis. Arthrodesis of the subtalar joint results in restriction of supination-pronation movements of the foot, overloading of the external compartments and, as a consequence, impaired gait biomechanics. DESCRIPTION OF THE CASE: We present a clinical case of surgical treatment of a patient with a malunited fracture of the calcaneus. The posterior articular facet of the calcaneus was hemiendoprosthetically replaced with a custom-made ceramic implant. CONCLUSION: Short-term results of the patient's treatment with posttraumatic deforming arthrosis of the subtalar joint allow us to conclude on the efficacy of the posterior articular facet hemiendoprosthesis of the calcaneus in the treatment of this pathology. The proposed technique makes it possible to preserve the mobility of the hindfoot and reduce the severity of the pain syndrome.